Introverts unite

“Many people believe that introversion is about being antisocial, and that’s really a misperception. Because actually it’s just that introverts are differently social. So they would prefer to have a glass of wine with a close friend as opposed to going to a loud party full of strangers.”
– Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

I think my introversion is evident on this blog, as it’s something I talk about pretty openly. The amazing Hanna over at Excelsior Lady—an introvert herself—picked up on that. And then she had a rather brilliant idea, which I’m psyched she decided to share with me. Fellow introverts, you, too, should be psyched. Because now Hanna and I share this idea (which we hope will spread in the blogosphere full of introverts) with YOU.

(All the pretty things! Read on to learn about the message behind these badges and how to score these awesome designs for your own blog.)

Introversion is a character trait of someone who is thoughtful. Someone who is quiet. Someone who is introspective. Not necessarily shy—although they may be—introverts crave solitude and time to reflect. Unlike our extroverted counterparts who are so celebrated in today’s culture, introverts don’t need to be constantly occupied and entertained. We have existed and thrived this way pretty much since the dawn of humanity. But for some reason, we are so often perceived as people who need to be worked on, brought out of our shells, because of this trait that is inherent to who we are as people.

“Writing is something you do alone. It’s a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while doing it.” – John Green

It’s no coincidence that many bloggers are introverts. We take the time each week to sit down and express what we’re thinking or evaluate where we’re headed in life. Some people—people who don’t get it—have this stereotypical image of bloggers in their heads: a hipster with nerd glasses in a chain coffee shop waxing poetic and ignoring the world around them. This person they’ve drawn up in their heads is antisocial and strange, and not at all a true depiction of us bloggers who are so much deeper than that. (Though there’s nothing wrong with nerd glasses. If you rock ’em, you go on with your bad self.)

We all know that stereotype is a lie. Just look around at all the blogs we read. The communities we’ve built. The connections we’ve established. The friendships we’ve made. And all of this through our writing! We are, in fact, very social people. What Hanna and I mean to say is: we introverts are—gasp!—complex individuals who are capable of being introverted and social, intelligent, self-starting, and opinionated.

So here’s where you come in. If you’re an introvert, and you feel as though you’ve been misperceived as shy/slow/weird/irrelevant because of who you are, we invite you to put one of these badass badges (Style 1, Style 2 – right click and “save as”) designed by Hanna on your blog and write a blog post based on the following prompt:

Just because I’m an introvert doesn’t mean…

From there, the rest is up to you. We hope you will share this with your bloggy friends and, in the process, reveal your inner awesomeness that might not be immediately evident. (Because shoving said awesomeness in other people’s faces isn’t your style.)

“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
– Carl Jung

As for me? Just because I’m an introvert doesn’t mean…

…I’m not full of ideas. I am. It just takes time and thought for me to properly express them, which is what my blog is for.

…I don’t know how to have a good time. Boy, do I know how to have a good time. My version of a good time is music on the stereo, homemade pizza in John’s kitchen, and wine aplenty. Add some Key & Peele on Comedy Central to the mix, and I’m golden.

…my success is limited. Back before reality TV, charisma wasn’t the end-all be-all in terms of indicators of success. There are a lot of famous, accomplished introverts in our history, and they didn’t have to entertain others with their charm to achieve their status. I’m not saying I can’t fake it, but small talk with strangers ain’t my thang. When I’m a big success, it’ll be due to the words I put on paper (or screen), rather than connections made at some cool party.

We hope you’ll join in and spread the love with this idea, and please send us a link if you do. Whoever sends me a link to their post will be added to a list right here. Introverts unite!

This is such a great idea! And how opportune, as I have been brainstorming a blog post on this very topic. 🙂 Now, I have even more incentive to get it written! I will definitely put the button on my blog for this venture. Oh, yes, I am so there.

This is awesome. I’m like… beyond introverted. My friends are either extroverts or less introverted than me, so they don’t know what to do with me half the time. There are definitely a lot of misconceptions.

I may have to write my own post, although it will have to be next month since I have my December entries all blocked out! Those badges are gorgeous, though.

I am actually reading Quiet by Susan Cain right now and it’s a pretty great read to figure out how an introverts mind works! I love this idea, too, and okay the quote by John Green? Amazing. Yes. I get it.

I’m so excited to be a part of this, and I look forward to reading what all the other introverts have to say themselves. Thanks to you and Hanna for coming up with this awesome idea and the adorable badges!

Also, I was wondering if you were aware of the fact that your feedburner icon doesn’t seem to work? The email part does, but the rss feed doesn’t seem to send you anywhere except to the main feedburner url (I think). Or at least, when I tried to subscribe via your button, it didn’t work, so I just manually entered your site into my google reader. Just an FYI in case you were not aware. Thanks again for sharing the awesome Introverts Unite idea!

I’m all over it. I remember doing the Myers-Briggs and being borderline E/I when I was in my early 20’s and realized when I re-did it in my 30’s and found myself a solid “I” that before I was trying to be an extrovert like my mom rather than be the introvert that I really was. Ever since I embraced my introverted self I’ve felt sooo much better.

I’m not an introvert — at least I don’t think I am, but even so, I can definitely appreciate this. I really crave and need my time alone — and I’ve found I probably spend more time alone than most introverts I know! It’s good to know there’s a movement that’s presenting a whole different perspective — one that says, it’s okay if I spend time alone, it’s okay if I’m not always with other people, it’s okay if I’m not always speaking, it’s okay if I’m introspective. I think introverts are making waves and speaking up more (by speaking less sometimes, too) and it’s good to hear/see.

Love this idea so much that I wrote briefly about it! AND adore the badges except I think the links for the different styles are not working. I wanted a black one anyways, but I thought I should mention it.

You’ve just become one of my favorite bloggers. Uniting introverts AND including a John Green quote? Here’s the introvert section of my blog http://daniellezeigler.com/category/introverts-2/ I’ll be writing a post about this and adding the badge. I’m so excited to check out the other blogs, too 🙂

[…] On her blog, quality content and unique pieces are king! The Myers-Briggs nerd in me loves her post all about Introverts the most, but I’d also recommend checking out View from the Top and A Woman to Aspire To […]